标签： Bahamas

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) concluded its protracted candidate selection process last night, finalizing its full slate for the upcoming general election amid heightened internal tensions. The most contentious nomination battle, for the Southern Shores constituency, was resolved in favor of Obie Roberts, the party’s deputy chairman, over ZNS General Manager Clint Watson.

The ratification event at PLP headquarters was marked by contrasting emotions. Supporters cheered and horns blared in the chilly air as incumbents and newcomers were confirmed. However, the atmosphere reflected weeks of internal strain, particularly surrounding the Southern Shores nomination. Last month, a PLP meeting on this matter nearly escalated into physical confrontations between supporters of Watson and Roberts, with some backers threatening electoral boycotts if their preferred candidate was rejected.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis addressed reporters following a meeting with the party’s Candidates Committee, confirming they had recommended Mr. Roberts and that the National General Council accepted this recommendation. While acknowledging Mr. Watson’s capabilities, Davis stated, ‘There are many roles in governance,’ describing Watson as someone who would remain ‘a prominent player’ moving forward.

Mr. Roberts acknowledged the heated nature of nomination battles but expressed confidence in party loyalty, recalling his own past unsuccessful nomination bid and subsequent continued commitment to the PLP.

The prolonged ratification process has drawn criticism from observers who believe delays exacerbated internal tensions. Prime Minister Davis defended the timeline as deliberate, noting perspectives on its length may vary. When pressed on election timing, Davis offered the cryptic response that reporters should ‘read the tea leaves.’ He also indicated openness to fixed election dates in the future, suggesting it would be considered if his administration returns to office.

The ratified slate includes eight newcomers: Robyn Lynes (Killarney), Obie Roberts (Southern Shores), Reneika Knowles (Long Island), Paco Deal (Central Grand Bahama), Monique Pratt (East Grand Bahama), Eddie Whann (Marco City), and Keno Wong (St Anne’s). Senator Randy Rolle was nominated for the newly created constituency of Bimini and the Berry Islands.

Key incumbents ratified include Kingsley Smith (West Grand Bahama), Ginger Moxey (Pineridge), Glenys Hanna Martin (Englerston), Chester Cooper (Exuma and Ragged Island), and Prime Minister Davis himself (Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador).

The Bahamian government has issued a robust response to the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s concerns regarding its proposed acquisition of the Grand Bahama Power Company, framing energy reform as an essential public necessity rather than a conventional business transaction. In an official statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, authorities expressed concern that the Chamber’s position could misrepresent both the purpose and critical urgency of the proposed reforms, potentially distorting public perception of what is at stake for Grand Bahama and the nation as a whole. The administration articulated that electricity constitutes fundamental national infrastructure that transcends mere commercial service, characterizing it as simultaneously a public safety imperative, a cost-of-living concern, and a crucial determinant of economic competitiveness. The government explicitly rejected the notion that reliability and affordability should be delayed until demand increases, asserting that reliable and affordable power serves as a prerequisite for investment and population growth rather than a reward for achieving these milestones. The statement challenged the Chamber’s reliance on economies of scale arguments, countering that the geographical reality of an archipelago nation precisely necessitates a coordinated national approach to prevent fragmented planning and isolated pricing from entrenching inequality and weakening national competitiveness. Officials dismissed claims that national rate structures are artificial, maintaining they represent deliberate governance choices to prevent deepening disparities between islands. Addressing concerns about potential taxpayer burden, the government emphasized that modern energy reform derives from engineering solutions and system design rather than ownership models, citing storm-hardened infrastructure, redundancy systems, automation, and disciplined capital planning as genuine determinants of reliability. Referencing recent success in New Providence, the statement highlighted the $130 million Foundational Grid Upgrade Project which has already demonstrated independently verified improvements including 45% reduction in outage frequency and 35% reduction in outage duration, with reliability on normal operating days improving by nearly 50%. The government revealed that broader reform initiatives through public-private partnerships have unlocked approximately $1 billion in investment commitments across the archipelago. While reaffirming openness to continued dialogue, the administration stressed that national discourse must not accept high electricity costs as inevitable, defer reform until demand increases, or treat equity across islands as optional.

In a striking directive to fellow Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) members, Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister and PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell has publicly advised politicians against feeling obligated to engage with press inquiries. The recommendation came through a vocal message distributed yesterday, wherein Minister Mitchell emphasized that no constitutional or legal requirement compels officials to respond to reporter calls or provide media statements.

Mitchell articulated concerns that unplanned media interactions often lead to ‘unforced errors,’ which political opponents then exploit through distorted interpretations. ‘Our opponents are reading the tea leaves and are too busy trying to make two plus two equal five,’ he stated, adding emphatically, ‘Folks, two plus two today still equal four, not five.’ This guidance emerges as Bahamian media outlets intensify outreach to prospective candidates and emerging political figures ahead of the approaching general election.

Positioning himself as ‘an observant student of politics,’ Mitchell further counseled against self-imposed deadlines and public declarations beyond constitutional mandates, warning that such commitments may later prove problematic.

Meanwhile, Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis launched a critique of Minister Mitchell in a Tribune op-ed published today, specifically targeting his recent official travel to London. She characterized his international meetings—including one conducted virtually via Zoom—as misaligned with national priorities during a period of strained public healthcare resources. Barnett-Ellis questioned the judicious use of public funds for such travels, cautioning that these decisions risk diminishing public trust and reinforcing perceptions of a governing administration increasingly detached from the pressing realities facing citizens.

The Bahamian government is confronting severe criticism following Prime Minister Philip Davis KC’s announcement of a memorandum of understanding with Canadian energy giant Emera regarding the potential acquisition of Grand Bahama Power Company. The disclosure has sparked accusations of political theater and creating false hope among residents.

Darren Cooper, a prominent Grand Bahama business owner and radio personality, characterized the government’s actions as treating citizens like ‘puppets’ by announcing preliminary discussions as a finalized deal. Cooper drew parallels to last year’s Grand Lucayan agreement, which remains uncompleted, suggesting a pattern of premature announcements without substantive details.

The controversy intensified when Dave McGregor, Emera’s Caribbean chief operating officer, revealed in a staff communication that both local and Bahamian management were completely blindsided by the Prime Minister’s announcement. McGregor explicitly stated that while discussions about a possible government acquisition option were ongoing, ‘no final agreement’ had been reached, directly contradicting the government’s presentation.

Energy sector analysts note that the proposed acquisition faces significant challenges, particularly given Emera’s status as a publicly-traded company subject to Canadian and US securities regulations. The Prime Minister’s announcement timing—suggesting a 60-90 day closing window—appears particularly optimistic without Emera’s formal agreement.

Grand Bahama residents expressed widespread skepticism, citing the government’s troubled track record with Bahamas Power & Light (BPL). Environmental advocate Joe Darville voiced concerns about reliability guarantees, noting that while GB Power has faced recent service challenges, residents have grown accustomed to relatively consistent power compared to other islands.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard questioned the government’s capacity to improve energy services, stating: ‘The government has a record of failure around BPL in multiple places in The Bahamas, which does not give us confidence that they will do a better job.’ The announcement has raised fundamental questions about acquisition costs, potential partners, and how the government intends to address Grand Bahama’s specific energy challenges beyond political pronouncements.